2 NY Men Accused Of Making, Selling ‘Ghost Guns’

Antonio Himonitis and Thomas Weber (Credit: New York State Attorney General's Office)Antonio Himonitis and Thomas Weber (Credit: New York State Attorney General's Office)

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Two New York men are accused of selling untraceable firearms known as “ghost guns” to undercover investigators.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a 32-count indictment was unsealed Monday in a Long Island courtroom against Thomas Weber and Antonio Himonitis. Charges include conspiracy, weapons sales and possession. They were arrested June 25.

Each pleaded not guilty in state Supreme Court in Riverhead. Himonitis was ordered held on $2 million bond. Weber was held on $1 million bond.

“Ghost guns represent a new, dangerous frontier of illegal firearm trafficking — the creation of homemade, completely untraceable, military-grade firearms,” Schneiderman said. “It does not matter if you build it yourself or buy it off the street corner — an illegal gun is an illegal gun, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

Attorney David Levine said Himonitis is looking forward to defending himself against the charges. Weber’s lawyer, Christopher Kirby, declined comment.

Prosecutors say the pair ordered unfinished gun parts from different manufacturers across the country. They are accused of modifying the parts and to make at least a dozen “ghost guns.” The guns were then sold to undercover investigators.